Melbourne veteran posts sign inviting thief who burglarized his home back

Someone stole Charlie Herring's TV while he was in the VA hospital in Orlando so he put up a sign inviting them back while he is home. Video by Malcolm Denemark

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Retired Marine Charlie Herring lives in a trailer at the Hollandale Mobile Home Park in Melbourne. While he was in the Orlando VA Medical Center, someone pried open the door of his trailer and stole his big-screen TV. He posted a sign in front of his home inviting them back.(Photo: MALCOLM DENEMARK/FLORIDA TODAY)Buy Photo

MELBOURNE — While Marine Corps veteran Charlie Herring was hospitalized at the Orlando VA Medical Center, a burglar pried open his door and swiped his 55-inch television.

Now, Herring has a message for the unidentified thief — and it's posted right outside his mobile home to clear up any confusion:

"ATTENTION: Burglar. When you stole my TV you neglected to steal my computer and stereo please come back for them. Charlie Herring," his sign reads.

"I had 'em make the sign, cost me $67. But I thought it was worth it. I know that thief isn't going to be stupid enough to come back over here, but I was hoping," Herring said, sitting in his couch in his living room.

"See, I got my thumper right there," he said, gesturing at a wooden club hanging from a wall hook beneath his calendar.

Herring served in the Marine Corps from 1969-71. A lance corporal, he worked in communications cryptography at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

The 66-year-old used salty language to describe the break-in at his trailer, which was reported Jan. 18 in the Hollandale Mobile Home Community off Pineapple Avenue.

The suspect stole Herring's 55-inch Vizio television. He said he had purchased the TV about two months earlier for roughly $700.

The burglar also made off with a red tool box containing miscellaneous tools valued at $200, according to a Melbourne Police Department report. Herring told police he had no idea who might want to break into his home or steal from him, the report states.

Investigators swabbed the front door for DNA evidence, but there are no leads in the case.

"This case is closed at this time as there is no suspect information," Lt. Cheryl Trainer said.

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